NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19347, 30 June 1925, Page 5

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

LOST BY 36 TO 17 LIBERALS DO NOT VOTE SARCASTIC LABOUR WITS In the House last evening, the Labour Party moved a vote of no-confidence in the administration of the Government. On a division being taken, the Liberals walked out of the House, and the motion was lost by 36 to 17 votes.

(By Telegraph—From Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, June 29. The first test of the state of parties this session was made in the House tonight when the Labour Pttrty moved a vote of No Confidence in the Government. The Liberals declined to vote, with the exception of Mr. Poland who went into the lobbies with the Labour Party. Mr. Atmore voted with the Government and the amendment was defeated by 36 to 17. It was not altogether unexpected [that the Labour Party would come to I light with an amendment and they took [the opportunity when the Imprest I Supply Bill was brought down. The thsk of moving the amendment was entrusted to Mr. Savage who, amidst [some laughter, said that he was desirlous of having the political position ;tested at the earliest possible moment. “In these d(ays of political courtships and possible marriages, it is just as well to know’ where we stand,” remarked Mr. Savage. “To be quite candid, I am just a little bit >at sea in the matter and I suppose the other hon. members arc likewise. I am sure the country would like to know just exactly where we are.” (Laughter).

“We don’t desire to delay the [House,” said Mr. Howard in seconding the amendment. “Everyone understands why wc are against the Government and therefore I second the amendment.” (Laughter). All eyes were now turned on the Liberal benches. Mr. Wilford rose at once and siaid that he heard that such an amednment was going to be moved. Therefore, he had put his remarks into writing. “At the present time,” he said, “the Opposition Party is lead by me (Labour laughter) and the Government arc in negotiation to see if it is possible that a working (arrangement can be come to between the two parties by which one party may he evolved. Whether or not those negotiations will come to a successful conclusion or not no one knows. Wc are in the stage of negotiation at present and until those negotiations are over no one can say whether or not this Government will have as partners the party I have the honour to leiftd. It is quite impossible for this party to vote with the Government on the vote of No Confidence. It is quite impossible for this party

to vote for any motion of No Confidence moved by a member of the extreme Labour Party and I propose to take the course recently taken at Home and to decline to vote cither for the Government or the extreme Labour Party led by Mr. Holland.” (Derisive Labour comments). “Run away,” came in a chorus of voices from the Labour benches.

The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr Holland, said that he did not propose to discuss the course which the Leader of the Opposition had decided upon in retreating. He merely wanted to make a quotation which seemed to him to be somewhat applicable to the situation. Disraeli was speaking with respect to Sir Robert Peel and he said: “Something has risen up in this country as fatal in the political world as it has been in the landed world of Ireland. We have a great Parliamentary middleman. It is well known what a middleman is. He is a m(an who bamboozles one party and plunders the other till, having obtained a position, to which he is not entitled, he cries out: ‘Let us have no party question, but fixity of tenure.’ ” (Laughter). Mr. Wilford: “You will be quoting Mr. Massey yet.”

As Mr. Speaker put the question to the House, Mr. Fraser remarked: “Those who have no opinion will walk out.” Then came a shaft of jibes from the Labour benches. “Go for your life,” called out one member to a Liberal before Mr Speaker ordered the doors to be locked.

“It is we.t to-night outside,” Called out Mr. Loe. Mr. Monteith advised the Liberals to take their ginghams with them. Dlr. Lee suggested that they should be careful or else they might get jammed in the doors. “Got no home, got no friends,” was Mr. Fraser’s sarcastic comment (as the Liberals departed from the chamber amidst a salvo of Labour good-byes. At this stage Mr. Poland was the only Liberal left behind, which prompted Mr. Monteith to remark that he was the “last of the Liberals.” Before the division was taken at about ten minutes to eight, Mr. Atmore re-entered the Chamber and went into the lobby with the Government.